Imperial Tobacco to acquire brands from Reynolds American

BRISTOL, England — A subsidiary of Imperial Tobacco Group announced that it will acquire a portfolio of products from Reynolds American, which includes such U.S. cigarette brands as Winston, Kool and Salem, as well as the e-cigarette brand blu. The assets are being valued at $7.1 billion.

“This is a great opportunity to transform our US.. business and secure a significant presence in the world’s largest accessible profit pool. We plan to build a U.S. brand portfolio through national distribution and create a stronger, more competitive business. We intend to internationalize blu, the U.S. leader in e-cigarettes and enhance its growth opportunity with our know-how. We expect opportunities for cost optimisation through integration," said Alison Cooper, chief executive of Imperial Tobacco.

The cigarette brands that will be acquired in the United States are Winston, Maverick, Kool and Salem. The brands will combine with Imperial's existing U.S. portfolio at Commonwealth-Altadis, the company announced. Blu is the top brand of e-cigarette in the U.S. market, with a 45% value share of the market at retail, according to the company.

Axe celebrates launch of new Axe Gold Temptation line

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — To help promote the launch of its new Axe Gold Temptation line, Unilever’s Axe is sparking social conversations on dating, attraction and indulgences and has partnered with actor Michael B. Jordan.

Following the revelation that 75% of guys and 60% of girls admit to not understanding what tempts the opposite sex, according to Axe Omnibus 2014, the men’s grooming brand has launched the “Summer of Temptation” to encourage both guys and girls to open up about what truly tempts them.

Throughout the summer, Axe will spark social conversations about dating, attraction and indulgences on #TemptationTuesday and reveal insights from both sexes on axetemptation.tumblr.com. To start the conversation, Axe partnered exclusively with GQ and Lucky magazines to survey 2,000 guys and girls and uncover the truth behind temptation. Survey findings reveal how style and technology impact today’s modern relationships. Two such insights include:

Pick up the phone: 81% percent of girls are more tempted to go out with a guy if he asks her out with a personal phone call versus a text or email; and

Be bold: More than 90% of guys say they would love it if girls made the first move and initiated conversation

To dig deeper into the world of temptation, actor Michael B. Jordan, star of “Friday Night Lights,” “Fruitvale Station” and next year’s film “The Fantastic Four,” has partnered with the brand to conduct and direct a video exploring what guys and girls really find irresistible.

Axe also is celebrating the launch of the new Axe Gold Temptation fragrance developed by fragrance expert Ann Gottlieb. Axe Gold Temptation is the first flanker fragrance in the brand’s 30-year history. It is based off the successful core of Axe Dark Temptation, the brand’s top-selling fragrance globally.

“Axe is a brand that listens to consumers and for years, our fans have provided overwhelming feedback on our social channels about their love of Dark Temptation,” said Matthew McCarthy, senior director of Axe and men’s grooming for Unilever. “We knew we had something special — a blockbuster — and we wanted to build upon it. With Axe Gold Temptation, we created something unique that perfectly complements Axe Dark Temptation.”

In a written statement, NACDS reaffirmed its support for the bipartisan “Better Care, Lower Cost Act,” which would implement the use of Better Care Programs to provide fully integrated medical care for people with chronic diseases.
The Senate bill (S. 1932) is sponsored by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga. A House of Representatives companion bill is championed by Reps. Erik Paulsen, R-Minn., and Peter Welch, D-Vt.

“We are pleased that the legislation specifically recognizes the contributions provided by pharmacists to improve care to patients with chronic conditions,” NACDS wrote. “Through personal interactions with patients, face-to-face consultations and convenient access to preventive care services, local pharmacists are helping to shape the healthcare delivery system of tomorrow — in partnership with doctors, nurses and others.”

The statement also noted the importance of enhancing the eligibility for medication therapy management services, and of formally recognizing pharmacists as healthcare providers in selected government programs.
NACDS supports the “Medication Therapy Management Empowerment Act” (S. 557 and H.R. 1024), which would expand access to MTM services for senior citizens enrolled in the Medicare program. NACDS also supports legislation to recognize pharmacists as healthcare providers in Medicare Part B (H.R. 4190) — and make available to underserved populations services that are able to be provided by pharmacists according to state laws.

“Since community pharmacists have the proven ability to provide services that lead to better clinical outcomes and lower healthcare costs, allowing them to practice up to their full extent will prove beneficial for all patients, including those suffering from chronic illnesses. Increasing access to community pharmacists will improve health and reduce overall healthcare spending by reduced complications that lead to increased use of expensive medical services and hospitalizations,” wrote NACDS in summarizing its statement to the Senate Finance Committee.

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